In 'Traditions of the North American Indians' (Vol. 1-3), James Athearn Jones explores the rich cultural heritage of indigenous tribes through a collection of traditional stories, beliefs, and practices. Jones' writing style is both scholarly and engaging, as he delves into the oral traditions of various Native American tribes and provides insightful commentary on their significance. The books are a valuable resource for understanding the literary and cultural context of Native American traditions. Jones skillfully weaves together folklore, mythology, and historical accounts to paint a vivid picture of the diverse and complex societies of the North American Indigenous peoples. Readers will appreciate the meticulous research and attention to detail that Jones brings to his exploration of Native American traditions. Jones, a respected anthropologist and historian, dedicated his career to studying and preserving the cultural heritage of indigenous peoples. His passion for the subject shines through in the meticulous scholarship and respectful treatment of the material. 'Traditions of the North American Indians' is a must-read for anyone interested in Native American culture and history, offering a comprehensive and fascinating glimpse into the world of indigenous traditions.

Publisher Description

In 1906 when the Creek Indian Chitto Harjo was protesting the United States government's liquidation of his tribe's lands, he began his argument with an account of Indian history from the time of Columbus, "for, of course, a thing has to have a root before it can grow." Yet even today most intelligent non-Indian Americans have little knowledge of Indian history and affairs those lessons have not taken root. This book is an in-depth historical survey of the Indians of the United States, including the Eskimos and Aleuts of Alaska, which isolates and analyzes the problems which have beset these people since their first contacts with Europeans. Only in the light of this knowledge, the author points out, can an intelligent Indian policy be formulated. In the book are described the first meetings of Indians with explorers, the dispossession of the Indians by colonial expansion, their involvement in imperial rivalries, their beginning relations with the new American republic, and the ensuing century of war and encroachment. The most recent aspects of government Indian policy are also detailed the good and bad administrative practices and measures to which the Indians have been subjected and their present situation. Miss Debo's style is objective, and throughout the book the distinct social environment of the Indians is emphasized—an environment that is foreign to the experience of most white men. Through ignorance of that culture and life style the results of non-Indian policy toward Indians have been centuries of blundering and tragedy. In response to Indian history, an enlightened policy must be formulated: protection of Indian land, vocational and educational training, voluntary relocation, encouragement of tribal organization, recognition of Indians' social groupings, and reliance on Indians' abilities to direct their own lives. The result of this new policy would be a chance for Indians to live now, whether on their own land or as adjusted members of white society. Indian history is usually highly specialized and is never recorded in books of general history. This book unifies the many specialized volumes which have been written about their history and culture. It has been written not only for persons who work with Indians or for students of Indian culture, but for all Americans of good will.

Library holds volume 2, part 2 only.

Categorized into eight geographical regions, this encyclopedic reference examines the history, beliefs, traditions, languages, and lifestyles of indigenous peoples of North America.

This book begins with the emergence of peoples in North America and traces their stories to the beginning of the early twenty-first century. The narrative rests on the premise that indigenous nations retain sovereign rights, and it explores the ways in which contests over those rights shaped their histories.